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Damien Love

Monstrous Devices: THE TIMES CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE WEEK Hardcover – 19 Mar. 2020

by Damien Love (Author)

96 ratings

Book 1 of 2 in the Monstrous Devices Series

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Reading age

9 - 12 years
Print length

352 pages
Language

English
Dimensions

13.5 x 3 x 20.1 cm
Publisher

Rock the Boat
Publication date

19 Mar. 2020
ISBN-10

1786077523
ISBN-13

978-1786077523
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Product details

Publisher : Rock the Boat (19 Mar. 2020)
Language : English
Hardcover : 352 pages
ISBN-10 : 1786077523
ISBN-13 : 978-1786077523
Reading age : 9 - 12 years
Dimensions : 13.5 x 3 x 20.1 cm

Best Sellers Rank: 93,394 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 43 in Robots Fiction for Children
- 118 in Science Fiction Adventures for Children
- 212 in Science Fiction Adventures for Young Adults

Customer reviews:
96 ratings

Product description

Review

'A superbly assured debut… an effortless, atmospheric evocation of place and history combine in an unforgettable, immersive reading experience.'

― Guardian

'Hugely original, exciting debut novel by Damien Love. He has built a fantastical but entirely believable world with scary killer robots oiled to perfection with automaton history, surprising characters and dry humour... Get hold of a copy, wind it up and let yourself go.'

― The Times

'One of the most acclaimed, exciting new children’s series in years... A hugely appealing adventure for all ages, which seems almost certain to be adapted for the screen.'

― The Herald

'A breakneck adventure story, told thrillingly.'

― Sunday Times

'Another assured debut that takes its protagonist somewhere unexpected... Fans of Anthony Horowitz will love Monstrous Devices.'

― Irish Times

'I was gripped from the first page of Monstrous Devices by Scottish author Damien Love. It is making me look at robots suspiciously . . . and I can’t wait to see what happens next!'

― Scottish Book Trust

‘An ingenious tale, the familiar fights and flight scenario kept interesting by the figure of grandfather, a kind of ageing James Bond.’

― Books for Keeps

'An adventure story [that] moves at a fast pace.'

― School Librarian

'Raiders of the Lost Ark meets Toy Story.'

― Publishers Weekly

'Monstrous Devices effortlessly brings mythic legend and modern life together in one exhilarating, breathless chase. With humour, relentless adventure, and true insight, he compels us to look closely at our wishes and illusions, at the dark and light forces of creation, at what really makes us tick.'

― S. E. Grove, bestselling author of The Glass Sentence

Book Description

A LoveReading4Kids DEBUT OF THE MONTH and BOOK OF THE WEEK

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5 star		67%
4 star		15%
3 star		14%
2 star		4%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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Top reviews from United Kingdom

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Roo I MacLeod

Devious & Dastardly Devices

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 June 2020

Verified Purchase

Middle Grade, I don't think so. This is way too good for kids, or am I intellectually stunted. Bah, either way this is a cracking read. Fast paced with twist and turns, monsters and robots & a golem that isn't precious. Buy it now. You'll love it.

Helpful

Besteller

reliable, fast, accurate

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 November 2020

Verified Purchase

good story with good reviews

Helpful

M. Price

Robots and Rum Goings On!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 March 2020

Monstrous Devices by Damien Love

This is Damien Love's debut novel, aimed at older children and teenagers but thoroughly enjoyable for everyone who likes science fiction and fantasy novels. The story starts with Alex receiving a package from his grandfather, when opened this proves to be an old robot toy to add to his collection. There is something very unusual about this particular robot and strange things begin to happen. An essay which Alex had started writing but was unable to complete is there in his printer the following morning – not just finished but finished to a very high standard. The robot, which Alex had left on his desk at home, appears in his backpack when he is on the school bus. Alex’s grandfather turns up unexpectedly after school and asks him if he can take the robot when he goes to visit his friend in Paris so that he can get a second opinion on it's provenance. Later that night Alex is attacked by vicious little robots who are being controlled by some very unpleasant characters who want to steal the robot for themselves. Alex and his grandfather beat off the attack and run off to France together to see Harry, the old man's friend.

I won’t give anything away, suffice to say that there are attacks and chases across rooftops and in the streets and alleyways of Paris, followed by chases across Europe to Prague.This novel really is a thrill a minute and has kept me up reading when I really should have gone to sleep hours ago, there’s humour as well as thrills and spills. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to further novels from Mr Love. Perfect for fans of Anthony Horowitz (the Alex Rider and Ravensgate series of books). Monstrous Devices is published on Thursday March 19 and is available for pre-order on Amazon and all good booksellers now.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

A. T.

Cool themes, but didn't work too well for me

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 May 2020

[NOTE: I received a copy through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.]

One of my favourite themes being in here, I still enjoyed the story for that aspect, but I admit that otherwise, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I expected to.

While it definitely deals with cool concepts (the aloof, badass grandpa; the robots; the mysterious men wanting Alex’s just as mysterious robot; their magic, both awesome and gruesome), plot-wise the story was also completely over the place. In a way, it reminded me precisely of the way I envisioned stories myself when I was a young reader: “Something mysterious! A bully! School woes! Something else happens! Grandpa arrives! Mum is not happy with him! Something else happens! Let’s run away!” And so on. So perhaps this would appeal to a 10-year old audience? I’m not entirely sure either. (To be clear, it’s not the fast pace itself I found problematic—such a pace can be very powerful indeed؅—but the disjointed way in which it was handled.)

“Monstrous Devices” also contains a very specific pet peeve of mine, a.k.a “I’m not telling you anything because for some reason, I think it will protect you, yet I completely fail to see that it actually endangers you more.” I don’t know why this trope is so prevalent. Just talk to your kids, people, they’re not stupid, and if you think it’s OK to take them traipsing all over Europe while pursued by murderous robots, then why not equip them to deal with it better, hm? (And as a result, the reader is none the wiser either. Having a few things left open at the end, for the next volume or two, is cool; having too many is not.)

Conclusion: Cool themes, and this will probably work for part of the intended audience at least, but not so much for me.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

deleted name

Not just for kids

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 December 2018

Yeah yeah yeah, 8-12 or whatever it recommends on the tin, but this book's not just for kids. Difficult to review in any way without posting spoilers, but older readers might well dig this proper old skool adventure for (what I at least infer as) its references to The Maltese Falcon, Dr Who, The Da Vinci Code, Wise Blood, King Kong, and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Young Alex is enough of a cypher for the book's intended readers to fill themselves into the blanks, and his Grandfather is a classic roué.
Everything about this says there must be a follow-up, colour me in the queue.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

C. Rickard.

A fun and imaginative debut!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 April 2020

When young Alex receives a toy robot in the post, from his Grandfather, things take a strange and rather bizarre turn. He finds himself under attack from lots more of these robotic creatures in his own bedroom, his Grandfather saves the day and whisks him away to Paris where the adventure and danger continue until the fast-paced and action-filled conclusion.

A fun book with an imaginative and action-packed plot with a cast of interesting and well-rounded characters. The dialogue, particularly between Alex and his Grandfather, was excellent and frequently made me laugh.

Monstrous Devices' target audience is children but I feel that it could be enjoyed by a much wider audience.

This is a fabulous debut by Damien Love. I hope there will be a sequel and I very much look forward to reading more by this author.

Helpful

Bookeygirl

A rip-roaring read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 March 2020

This is a great, fast paced, exciting story. It has a bit of everything in it, Goodies, baddies (lots!), robots, and a good old fashioned chase.

I loved Alex and his grandad - what a guy. I’d like to hear his backstory...who is he?!!

I very much enjoyed reading this, and it was a pleasant distraction from you know what right now... I can’t help wondering what Alex’s mum thought of all this though..we never found that out!!

My thanks to Netgalley and Oneworld Publications for the advance copy.

Helpful

Bebe

Not for Me

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2020

This was an interesting book and i thought the premise was interesting but i didn't love the writing and the main character in places as i found him a bit grating. This was not for me in the end but i liked what it tried to do.

Helpful

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Monstrous Devices: THE TIMES CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE WEEK Hardcover – 19 Mar. 2020

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